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Liberia Update

Edition-April to July 2017

UNFPA Representation in Liberia

In this issue:

Women with OB/GYN Cases Receive Care at Chief Jallah Lone Hospital, Gbarpolu

Women & Girls Rush for FP Services on World Pop. Day

UNFPA Provides More Support Toward Rebuilding Liberia’s Health System

50 Midwives Trained As

Master Mentors with funding

from J&J Inc.

UNFPA and ECOWAS

Reaffirm Commitment to End

Fistula in Liberia

More Fistula Survivors

Receive Free Treatment

Religious Leaders Commit to

Sexuality Education

Deceased UNFPA Executive Director Laid to Rest

Cooper Building

120 UN Drive Mamba Point

P.O Box 10-0274

1000 Monrovia, 10 Liberia

Tel. +231-770004168

Editorial contact: Calixte Hessou Advocacy & Communications Officer E-mail: [email protected] Skype: calixtehess

Dr. Oluremi Sogunro Country Representative

unfpaliberia unfpaliberia

Women with OB/GYN Cases Receive Care

at Jallah Lone Hospital in Gbarpolu

She may not have been there for long

but six months seem long enough for

her to command the admiration of

many women with obstetrical and

gynecological issues in Gbarpolu

County. Dr. Susan Kimono is among

the three Ugandan obstetricians and

gynecologists deployed in Liberia and

based in Gbarpolu via a joint partner-

ship agreement between UNFPA and

the Government of Japan in collabo-

ration with the Ministry of Health.

In addition to providing clinical ser-

vices at the Chief Jallah Lone Hospi-

tal in Bopolu, Dr. Kimono is helping

with in-service capacity development

of medical staff at the hospital. She

mentors and also supports the overall

maternal and newborn health delivery

system of the county.

“There has been an increase in the

number of women visiting the hospi-

tal to seek obstetrical or gynecologi-

cal services since the arrival of Dr.

Kimono;” says Dr. Claresia S. Jallah,

Medical Director of Chief Jallah

Lone Hospital.

Dr. Jallah added that the major facili-tating factors for the increase in facil-

ity utilization is the constant commu-nity engagement and awareness activ-

ities about Obstetrical and gynecolog-ical conditions and the availability of

care at the Chief Jallah Lone Hospital for women and girls which is led by Dr. Kimono.

Dr. Susan Kimono (Middle) and Dr. Claresia Jallah (1st from right) make a reg-ular round of the OB Ward

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Liberia Update


Women with OB/GYN Cases Receive Care Cont’d

According to the hospital records, more

than 40 Cesarean Sections were per-

formed at the facility between February

and June this year, something which

represents a major boost in service deliv-

ery for the facility.

But the hospital has not been able to

cope with the influx of patients. “We

have to prioritize women needing obstet-

rical services over those requiring gyne-

cological services

because of the

high maternal

death and limited

capacity by the

hospital and its

staff;” says Dr.

Kimono.

However, many

women have ben-

efited from vari-

ous gynecologi-

cal services in-

cluding hysterec-

tomy, tubal blow-

out, and D&C for

the treatment of

infertility. “We

run GYN clinic every Monday and

Thursday to look after patients with spe-

cial needs including infertility. We have

been overwhelmed by the number of

women we receive on these days. We are

able to treat only 10 patients on each

service day due to the lack of space and

skilled manpower which often leads

many women to go back home without

treatment;” says Dr. Kimono.

Midwives at the hospital have also been

encouraged and trained by Dr. Kimono

to provide postpartum family planning.

The OBGYN specialist says this has also

helped young mothers with

the prevention of unintended

pregnancy and closely spaced

pregnancies through the first

12 months following child-

birth.

“When we first arrived, we

noticed that there was no post-

partum family services availa-

ble. So we decided to engage

the midwives working with us

to counsel women after they

have just delivered; especially

those who are desirous of adequately

spacing their children, to receive Intrau-

terine Device (IUD);” Dr. Kimono said.

“We hope that Dr. Kimono can stay with

us for a longer time as she has been a

great addition to strengthening human

resource in Gbarpolu County health

team. But we are preparing to continue

providing women with the same obstetri-

cal and gynecological services the ser-

vices after the departure of Dr. Kimo-

no;” adds Dr. Jallah.

She however expressed fear that taking

over the tasks being performed by Dr.

Kimono may prove difficult, as there

was no resident doctor at the hospital

which was transformed from a health

center status to hospital with no major

expansion in its infrastructure facilities.

Since the launch of Liberia’s Investment

Plan for Building a Resilient Health

System in June 2015, UNFPA has

stepped up efforts to support the Minis-

try of Health to ensure the availability of

skilled health care providers across the

country.

UNFPA is also

helping with the

supply of equip-

ment and infra-

structural expan-

sion needed to

restore basic

health services,

including mater-

nal and newborn

health services.

There is an ongo-

ing expansion of the Chief Jallah

Lone Hospital supported by UN-

FPA with funding from the Govern-ment of Japan and

the World Bank to include additional delivery room, labor ward, operating

theaters, antenatal care, and OB/GYN units.

Dr. Kimono guides the provision of an IUD to woman few hours after she gave birth.

Dr. Kimono, assisted by Dr. Jallah during a surgical procedure

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Liberia Update


Hundreds Receive Family Planning Services as UNFPA & Partners Observe

World Population Day

UNFPA and the Planned Parenthood

Association of Liberia (PPAL) engaged

in a weeklong outreach activities be-

tween 07 and 13 July to provide family

planning information and voluntary

services to residents of Grand Bassa

County.

The outreach activities include live ap-

pearances on various Community Radi-

os to answer some of the concerns of

the local population regarding the myth

surrounding the use of family planning.

It also involved the use of the different

family planning commodity distribution

points to supply old users as well as

recruit new ones.

As part of the celebration, kickball and

football matches were played in Bu-

chanan between two communities, Kay-

tor Town and Biafra to create awareness

about family planning services among

the youth of the area.

Hundreds of Grand Bassa residents ben-

efitted from free family planning ser-

vices. Among them is Patience, aged 15

who chose the injectable (depo).

Patience said that she is sexually active;

as such, she decided to take advantage

of the family planning services so as to

prevent unwanted pregnancies.

“Because of the difficult eco-

nomic situation in Liberia, it

is important for one to plan

his or her life in order to

avoid unnecessary burden;”

Patience said.

Rose, another teenager, could

not hide her emotion after

receiving the three-month

injection.

“Look, uncle, I long been

waiting to get family plan-ning; we hardly get family

planning services here. When-ever we go to the hospital,

they will tell us that they don’t have them; so, I am so

happy for me to receive it right here for free. Thank God for UNFPA and partners;” she

said.

The football squads of participating communities pose for picture

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Liberia Update


Hundreds Receive Family Planning Services...

Cont’d Hannah Johnny, 32, said she was glad that UNFPA and partners decided

to take family planning services to them because, they find it difficult to

get them in the county.

Hannah, a mother of six children, said she does not want to have any child

again, therefore believing that family planning is the surest way to prevent

such.

She encouraged women and girls to take advantage of the family planning

program because it helps them to plan their lives.

This year’s World Population Day was celebrated under the theme: “Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Na-tions.”

The Maryland County Health system has received three motor-

bikes from the United Nations Population Fund for use by Kar-

loken, Glofarken and Fish Town Clinics for improving referral

care.

Speaking in Harper on 02 May during the presentation of the

motorbikes as well as some medical supplies, Assistant Repre-

sentative, Dr. Philderald Pratt said UNFPA was fully aware of

the many challenges faced by health facilities in the county.

Dr. Pratt said UNFPA had also procured an ambulance for use

by the Maryland County Health Team.

He noted that the supplies were part of UNFPA’s efforts to

support the delivery of quality maternal and newborn health

services to the population.

Receiving the materials, the Acting Maryland County Health

Officer and Director of Community Health, Mr. Cyrus B. Sneh

praised UNFPA for its support to the county health system.

Mr. Sneh urged UNFPA to continue its support; especially in

helping the CHT to maintain midwives deployed in three health

facilities in the county including Karloken, Glofarken and Fish

Town.

Five midwives were deployed to the three facilities in May

2016 by UNFPA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health

under the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) project which ends

on 31 July 2017.

“We need these midwives at the three health facilities beyond

the current project time. For this reason, we are appealing to

UNFPA to find means of keeping these midwives in place until

such time when the County Health Team can absorb them into

its system;” Mr. Sneh says.

UNFPA Supports Referral Care services in Maryland County with Motor-

bikes and Ambulance

Martina T. Wesseh, one of the midwives deployed in Maryland with support from UNFPA provides health

talks to women on ANC visit to Karloken Clinic

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Liberia Update


UNFPA Provides More Support Toward Rebuilding Liberia’s Health System

In continuation of its efforts aimed at strengthening the health

sector of Liberia, the United Nations Population Fund

(UNFPA) donated three Toyota Land Cruisers ambulances to

the County Health teams of Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu

and Lofa.

UNFPA also constructed and turned over a maternity waiting

home in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County.

The facility was constructed and ambulances acquired with

funding from the Government of Japan.

Speaking last on 26 May at the turning over and dedicatory

ceremony in Sinje, UNFPA Liberia Country Representative

Dr. Oluremi Sogunro said the ambulances were intended to

convey patients, especially pregnant women who live in hard

to reach areas to health facilities in the three counties.

“UNFPA has ZERO tolerance for Maternal death, therefore

the agency at-

taches im-

portance to

pregnant wom-

en and girls

having access

to health facili-

ties; we contin-

ue to seek assis-

tance from do-

nors and devel-

opment partners

to buttress the Liberian Government’s efforts in this direc-

tion;” Dr. Sogunro says.

He said when women and girls have access to health facili-

ties, it helps to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality and

newborn death.

“The maternity waiting home is to be used to host pregnant

women who may be in their late second or third trimester to

ensure that they are closer to the health facility and deliver

there;” the UNFPA Liberia Country Representative says.

He called on the health teams of the three counties to only use

the ambulances to transport patients especially women and

girls.

Dr. Sogunro praised Japan for supporting the works of UN-

FPA in Liberia.

In his remarks, the Ambassador of Japan to Liberia Mr. Kaoru Yoshimura said his country attaches importance to the

health of Liberians considering the cordial ties that have ex-isted between the two countries over the years.

Dr. Oluremi Sogunro

Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kaoru Yoshimura

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Liberia Update


UNFPA Provides More Support Cont’d

the health of Liberians considering the cordial ties that have

existed between the two countries over the years.

“Japan wants to ensure that women and girls have access to

quality health services, thereby helping to reduce maternal

and newborn deaths in the post-conflict country;” Ambassa-

dor Yoshimura said

He said Japan’s support to Liberia health system is driven by

the country’s high maternal mortality rate. “Japan’s funding

to the health sector demonstrates its commitment to improve

the delivery of better health care to the people of Liberia par-

ticularly women and girls;” Ambassador Yoshimura added.

The Japanese Envoy underscored the need for collective en-

gagement to improve the delivery of health care to the peo-

ple, especially women and girls, thereby helping to reduce the

high rate of maternal mortality.

Earlier, Dr. Joseph Kerkula, Director for Family Health Divi-

sion at the Ministry of Health commended UNFPA for its

continuous support to the country’s health sector.

He said over the years, UNFPA has provided substantial sup-

port to Liberia’s health sector in every area, thereby strength-

ening government’s effort to provide quality and affordable

health services to the people.

Dr. Kerkula also praised the Japanese Government for sup-

porting Liberia in its recovery drive.

He said the donation of the ambulances and construction of

the maternity waiting home would greatly help to reduce ma-

ternal mortality, which the government considers as an emer-

gency.

Dr. Kerkula called on the health officers of the three counties

to ensure that the ambulances are pre-positioned in areas that

they can easily access patients to health centers.

During the pro-gram, chiefs, elders

and citizens of the beneficiary counties

gowned the Japa-nese Ambassador

for his country’s continuous support to Liberia.

Dr. Joseph Kerkula

Chiefs Honor Amb. Yoshimura

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Liberia Update


50 Midwives Trained As Master Mentors with Support from Johnson & Johnson, Inc.

UNFPA Liberia has supported the train-

ing of 30 midwives as Master Mentors.

The Johnson and Johnson Inc. funded

program under the Project-Rebuilding

maternal health services in Post Ebola

Liberia- was conducted by the Liberia

Prevention of

Maternal Mortal-

ity (LPMM) in

collaboration

with the Liberia

Board of Nursing

and Midwifery

and Jhpiego. Its

main objective is

to increase insti-

tutional deliver-

ies by reinforc-

ing the number

and role of

skilled birth at-

tendants

(midwives) as

well as increase maternal health

knowledge and services within hard-to-

reach populations and teenage girls.

According to UNFPA Liberia Reproduc-

tive Health Specialist Esther King-

Lincoln, the training is intended to create

a pool of competent and seasoned mid-

wives who will provide on the spot

coaching for junior midwives in practice

so as to improve quality of care for

women and adolescents during pregnan-

cy, labor, childbirth and post-delivery.

Ms. Lincoln said the training helped to

sharpen the skills of the “master men-

tors” who are being used as trainers of

key health staff at the county level.

She noted those trained personnel at the

county level will, in turn, provide train-

ing for skilled birth attendants at health

facilities as peer practice mentors to en-

hance continual education, skill building

and competency to ensure delivery of

quality Reproductive, Maternal, New-

born and Child Health (RMNCAH) ser-

vices for women and adolescent mothers.

Meanwhile, the Director of Family

Health Division at the Ministry of

Health, Dr. Joseph Kerkula has urged

midwives across Liberia to remain com-

mitted to their tasks if the country must

make reality the reduction of maternal

and newborn deaths.

Dr. Kerkula said midwives have critical

roles in stopping women from dying in

childbirth as well as helping their new-

borns to survive.

He urged the midwives to use friendly approaches to get pregnant women to deliver at the health facility.

One of the participants demonstrates how to carry out external and internal abdominal aorta stage

A group photo of participants and facilitators of the w’shop

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Liberia Update


Midwives Commit to Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Liberia

As part of the 2017 observance of Inter-

national Day of the Midwife, the Liberia

Midwifery Association (LMA) with

support from UNFPA carried out series

of activities to raise awareness on how

midwives promote the health and well-

being of women, newborns, families and

communities, and help save lives of

women and their newborns in case of

obstetric emergencies.

The week-long activities ended on 5

May and included a scientific session for

midwives, school visitation to promote

midwifery as a noble career with young

students and an indoor program to rec-

ognize the work of midwives in Liberia.

LMA President Wilhelmina W. G. Flo-

mo said the scientific session was in-

tended to refresh and build the capacity

of midwives in Liberia.

Madam Flomo said it was important for

midwives to be trained with the requisite

skills and knowledge that would enable

them to perform their duty professional-

ly. “Once they are trained, they can con-

tribute to the reduction of the high num-

ber of maternal mortality in Liberia;”

she said.

She called on midwives to always dis-

charge their duty professionally.

Delivering paper on “Respectful Mater-

nity Care,” Madam Comfort Wiles,

challenged her colleagues to give care

with respect.

According to her, it is important for

midwives to treat every patient equally

and with respect, considering that a pa-

tient needs the help of health workers to

recover. “When people come to the

hospital with emotions, we as midwives

need to calm them down rather than

making their situation worse…we

should talk to them in a way that will

always encourage them to return to the

hospital,” Madam Wiles said.

Similar call was made on 05 May by

Madam Marion Zubah, JHPIEGO Chief

of Party when she served as keynote

speaker during the indoor program held

in Buchanan.

“It is your responsibility to always en-

sure safe delivery of women especially

those who have come to the health cen-

ters;” Ms. Zubah told the gathering of

the midwives who had come from across

the country.

“When a pregnant woman goes to the

hospital and takes off her slippers and

lie on that bed to give birth, you as mid-

wives must ensure that she and her baby

survive and are in good health to wear

her slippers to go back home with her

baby,” Ms. Zubah said.

She told the midwives that they must

treat every patient especially pregnant

women with respect and dignity in order

to ensure that they are attracted to health

facilities whenever they need medical

attention.

Madam Zubah also told the midwives

that they are under obligation to accom-

pany women through their pregnancy,

child birth and beyond.

She underscored the need for midwives

to ensure respectful maternal care to

their patients which is key to reduction

in maternal mortality.

The JHPIEGO Chief told the midwives

to hold themselves in high esteem con-

sidering the job they do, adding “you are

very important to the society. You play a

key role in the health sector, as such,

you must value and respect yourself.”

For her part, Ms. Magbush S. Snoh-

Miller who represented the United Na-

tions Population Fund (UNFPA) said

Liberian midwives play critical role in

the health sector especially in the fight

against maternal mortality, as such, they

must be well trained and supported.

Ms. Snoh-Miller recounted the numer-

ous sacrifices midwives make in the

discharge of their duty to help women

bring forth lives.

She assured the meeting of UNFPA’s continued support to Liberia Midwives

Association.

A group of midwives during the main program

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Liberia Update


UNFPA and ECOWAS Reaffirm Commitment to End Fistula in Liberia

The Economic Community of West Af-

rican States (ECOWAS) and UNFPA

Liberia have agreed to strengthen part-

nership to end obstetric fistula in Liberia

and the West African sub-region in gen-

eral.

As a mark of commitment to this part-

nership, UNFPA Liberia and ECOWAS

Center for Gender Development

(EGDC) jointly organized this year’s

International Day to End Obstetric Fis-

tula in Monrovia in collaboration with

Liberia’s ministries of Health and Gen-

der, Children and Social Protection.

This celebration was characterized by a

wide dissemination of information on

obstetric fistula and the availability of

support for women and girls with the

condition.

The EGDC also joined action to words

through symbolic donations of

US$80,000 for the rehabilitation of the

Fistula Rehabilitation Center in Phebe,

Bong County and the Medical Unit for

the care of fistula survivors at the St.

Joseph Catholic Hospital in Monrovia.

The main indoor program was highlight-

ed by the high-level participation of the

ECOWAS Commission represented by

the President of the Commission, the

President of the ECOWAS Court of

Justice, and the ECOWAS Commission-

er for Social Affairs and Gender, Com-

missioner for Political Affairs, Peace

and Security (PAPS), Commissioner for

Administration, Commissioner of Hu-

man Resources and His Excellency the

Special Representative of the ECOWAS

Commission in the Republic of Libe-

ria.

Representatives of Ministries of

Health, Ministry of Gender, Children

and Social Protection, Ministry of For-

eign Affairs, Members of Parliament

and Senate of Liberia, Representatives

of the UN and Diplomatic Missions

were also present.

Most importantly, some women and

girls who have survived fistula were

also present to provide their testimo-

nies.

Speaking at the program, the Vice

President of Liberia, Ambassador Jo-seph N. Boakai said the importance of

tackling obstetric fistula in the sub-region cannot be over emphasized, as

it poses a major setback to the reproduc-tive health of young girls and women.

“Obstetric fistula has been a serious

concern to the Liberian government, considering the number of women suf-

fering from the condition;” Vice Presi-dent Boakai said.

L-R: Deputy Health Minister Mrs. Yah Zolia, UNFPA Liberia Country Representa-tive Dr. Oluremi Sogunro and ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and

Gender, Dr. Fatimata Dia Sow address the media at the Monrovia City Hall

H.E. Joseph N. Boakai, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia

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Liberia Update


UNFPA and ECOWAS Reaffirms Commitment Cont’d

He lauded ECOWAS and UNFPA for

efforts to ensure decent, productive and

dignified life for women and girls of Li-

beria.

For the ECOWAS Commissioner for

Social Affairs and Gender, Dr. Fatimata

Dia Sow, obstetric fistula raises issues

that question the relationships between

men and women in the society.

“In organizing today’s event to mark the

International Day to End Obstetric Fistu-

la, ECOWAS therefore, wants to seize

the opportunity to take stock of the dis-

ease in the West Africa region and call on

the implementation of suitable solutions

to end it once and for all for the benefit of

our people,” she said.

Dr. Sow said despite efforts by ECO-

WAS member countries to improve the

reproductive health of women and girls,

the region is still among the zones with

the highest number of women with fistu-

la, with 50,000 to 100,000 cases per year,

referencing WHO 2009 report.

Earlier, UNFPA Liberia Country Repre-

sentative Dr. Oluremi Sogunro said end-

ing fistula was a high priority of UNFPA

and a key step on the road to achieving

the world’s Sustainable Development

Goals by 2030.

In a statement read on behalf of UNFPA

Executive Director, Dr. Sogunro said:

“obstetric fistula has been virtually elimi-

nated in the world’s wealthier countries,

so we know that it can be eliminated in

every country. Strong health systems and

greater efforts to address the underlying

issues that perpetuate it, including pov-

erty, gender inequality, early marriage

and childbearing, and

lack of education, are

crucial.”

ECOWAS Commission

President Marcel Alain

De Souza said the com-

mission was determined

to help member states in

the fight against fistula.

This year’s International Day to End Obstetric Fistula was celebrated

under the theme: Hope, healing, and dignity for

all while the local theme was: “ECOWAS Re-

stores Dignity and Hope of Survivors of Obstetric Fistula.”

Fistula Survivor, Joetta Tarlo ( in white t-shirt and cap) flanked by dignitaries including H.E. Vice President Joseph N. Boakai

ECOWAS Commission President Marcel Alain De Souza

11

Liberia Update


The Liberia Fistula Project at the Minis-

try of Health, launched in 2008 with

support from the United Nations Popu-

lation Fund (UNFPA) has continued to

work towards the total elimination of

obstetric fistula in Liberia, while at the

same time ensuring that women and

girls already affected by the condition

receive free treatment, skills training

and social reintegration packages. Ob-

stetric fistula is a condition that normal-

ly arises from complications during

child birth, leading victims to abnormal-

ly discharge bodily wastes including

urine and/or feces.

In continuation of this quest, a recent

surgical campaign to restore hope and

dignity to fistula survivors was held at

Phebe Hospital from June 7th to June

21st 2017.

During the campaign, 28 fistula survi-vors were surgically managed out of 38 patients that were recruited and as-sessed. Out of the remaining 10, four were medically treated and discharged while the others were deemed not fit for surgery at the time. This campaign was organized by the

Liberia Fistula Project (UNFPA) in col-

laboration with Phebe Hospital and C.B.

Dunbar Hospital in Bong County and

the Post Graduate Program at the AM

Doglioti College of Medicine, Universi-

ty of Liberia.

One of the beneficiaries of this free fis-tula surgical repair campaign is 20-year old Hannah Zayzay, a resident of Fassa-ma, Gbarpolu County. Hannah developed obstetric fistula in September 2016 as a result of prolonged labor. Hannah’s account of how she acquired obstetric fistula is similar to most of the accounts of women who suffered from the demeaning condition across the Li-beria. According to her she was pregnant and when the time of labor came, there was no transportation to get her to the clinic. The contractions lasted for four whole days and nights. “On the fifth day, my

family managed to get a car that took me to the hospital in Bopolu. By the time I got there the child has already died in me;” she said. “I was operated (C-section) to get the dead baby out. From that day I have been so sick. I could never hold my urine anymore. My family has been helping me to survive because my boy-friend abandoned me;” she lamented. Hannah who had earlier had a failed fistula repair surgery expressed the hope that her recent surgery would hold. “I want to be healed and have a child again. I hope and pray that this is my last fistula surgery;” Hannah said.

Like Hannah, Kadie Jamah, aged 37 went to give birth to her fifth child when he developed complications which led to obstetric fistula.

“In Weaju, Grand Cape Mount County where I lived, there is no health center. Because no vehicle was available to transport me, I had to ride a motorbike for more than two hours to get to the nearest health facility, the Liberia Gov-ernment Hospital in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. I was made to sit in a tub of chlorinated water at the Liberia Govern-ment Hospital. After few hours, the mid-wives attending to me requested that I should be transferred to the Redemption Hospital in Monrovia;” Kadie recount-ed. “We arrived at the Redemption Hospital after midnight. My condition was so critical. The nurses we met on duty re-quested six thousand Liberian Dollars from my family before they would touch me. And since my family never had such money, they had to take me to JFK Hospital at the back of a pickup. It was at JFK that I was given an operation to remove the dead baby;” Kadie added. Kadie said she was delighted by the opportunity to receive the free surgery. But unlike Hannah and Kadie who re-ceived surgeries to repair their fistulae, Hawa Kerkula was repaired through catheterization. Hawa, aged 24, who developed obstetric fistula on 18 April 2017 as a result of prolonged labor had Foley Catheter in-serted due to the tiny nature of her fistu-la.

More Fistula Survivors Receive Free Treatment

Hannah Zayzay

12

Liberia Update


Religious leaders under the auspi-ces of the Inter-religious Council of Liberia has resolved to support efforts to end teenage pregnancy in Liberia. The Inter-religious

Council of Liberia is a consorti-um of Liberia Council of Church-es and the National Muslim Council of Liberia. The commitment of the religious leaders was contained in a Com-muniqué released in Monrovia on July 20, 2017 at the end of a 3-day dialogue on adolescent health including the prevalence of teen-age pregnancy in Liberia. Among key issues discussed dur-ing the 3-day dialogue supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with funding from the Embassy of Sweden in-clude: Christian perspective of teenage pregnancy, Islam and early marriage, child protection and teenage pregnancy, as well as

Adolescent Sexual & Reproduc-tive Health rights. According to the Inter-religious Council of Liberia, “the lack of requisite information on sexuality

education, poverty/economic in-

stability, unplanned family life and peer pressure are some of the factors promoting teenage preg-nancy in Liberia. In their 2-page Communiqué, the Council called on the Govern-ment to place emphasis on sexu-ality education in the education policy and national curriculum. The body also wants the Govern-ment to provide support and eco-nomic empowerment for victims of teenage pregnancy through skills training and reinforce puni-tive action against parents who use children or teenagers for street selling. The religious leaders pledged to advocate for the inclusion of sex education in national school cur-riculum and the establishment of health clubs in schools and com-munities as well as encourage the teaching of sexuality education by parents in communities and at

Religious Leaders Commit to Sexuality Education in Churches and Mosques in Liberia

A group of participants during one of the working sessions of the 3-day dialogue

The 3-day dialogue was attended by executives of the Inter-religious Coun-cil of Liberia as well as representatives from the Council’s Women and

Children wings

13

Liberia Update


Meanwhile, the Inter-religious Council of Liberia has presented the Communiqué to the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia.

Bishop Jonathan BB Hart, Presi-dent and Sheik Omaru Kamara, Vice President of the Inter-

religious Council of Liberia pre-sented the document to Ambassa-dor Ingrid Wetterqvist on Friday 28 July at which time the reli-gious leaders expressed their ap-

preciation to the Swedish Gov-ernment for its support to Liberia.

They pledged to share the Com-muniqué with Churches and Mosques across the country. In remarks, Ambassador Wet-terqvist said young people must

be given the opportunity to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life, without coercion, violence, discrimination or the risk of becoming involuntarily pregnant or being infected by HIV and other sexually trans-mitted diseases if they are to contribute to the economic growth of the country. Ambassador Wetterqvist said Sweden’s support to Liberia through UNFPA was aimed at empowering young girls and boys with information and ser-

vices to exercise their reproduc-tive rights and fulfill their full potential.

Religious Leaders Commit to Sexuality Education Cont’d

An array of religious leaders during the presentation of the Communique to the Embassy of Sweden

14

Liberia Update


Deceased UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin Laid to Rest

The remains of the late

UNFPA Executive Director,

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin

has been laid to rest.

Dr. Osotimehin who died on

4 June was buried on 21

July in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The late UNFPA Executive

Director vigorously champi-

oned three major transform-

ative goals of zero prevent-

able maternal deaths, zero

unmet demand for family

planning and zero gender-based vio-

lence or harmful practices against wom-

en and girls. UNFPA urges all to honor

his legacy by rallying around those glob-

al goals.

Dr. Osotimehin, a physician and public

health expert, became UNFPA’s fourth

Executive Director on 1 January 2011,

with the rank of United Nations Under-

Secretary-General.

Before this appointment, Dr. Osotimehin

was Nigeria’s Minister of Health. Prior to

that, he was Director-General of the

National Agency for the Control of AIDS,

which coordinated HIV and AIDS work in

Nigeria.

Dr. Osotimehin qualified

as a doctor from the Uni-

versity of Ibadan, Nigeria,

in 1972, and went to the

University of Birmingham,

England, where he got a

doctorate in medicine in

1979. He was appointed

Professor at the Universi-

ty of Ibadan in 1980 and

headed the Department

of Clinical Pathology be-

fore being elected Prov-

ost of the College of

Medicine in 1990. Dr.

Osotimehin received the

Nigerian national honour

of Officer of the Order of

the Niger (OON) in De-

cember 2005. He led

several councils, including in the World

Economic Forum.

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